Patterns and clinical manifestations of tuberculous myocarditis: a systematic review of cases

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a rare cause of myocarditis. It is however associated with a high mortality when it oc curs and is often diagnosed at post-mortem. Tuberculous myocarditis prevalence in males is twic e that in females. Most of the reported cases of tu berculous myocarditis are predominantly in immunocompetent patients. Out of the reported fatal ities (sudden cardiac deaths), eighty one percent ( 81%) occur in the ‘young’ patients (below 45years). Antituberculosis drug therapy does not ap pear to offer mortality benefit against sudden card iac deaths.